Vietnam frees two more political activists amid foreign pressure

Vietnam frees two more political activists amid foreign pressure

Vietnam has freed two more political activists, the latest high-profile dissidents to be released as pressure mounts on the government to stop jailing critics.

Vietnam has freed two more political activists, the latest high-profile dissidents to be released as pressure mounts on the communist nation to stop jailing critics.

Nguyen Tien Trung, a 30-year-old blogger, was freed from a prison in southern Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday, his father said.

Trung was convicted of subversion, or attempting to "overthrow the people's administration".

Vi Duc Hoi, 56, a former communist party member who became a democracy activist, was released on Friday, London-based rights group Amnesty International confirmed on Monday.

He was jailed for eight years in January 2011, reduced to five on appeal, for conducting propaganda against the state.

Trung's father, Nguyen Tu Tu, said it was a positive move by the authorities and hoped more would follow.

"The government said he followed the rules in prison very well, so he was released early," Mr Tu said.

"But everyone understands, the international community has put a lot pressure on the Vietnamese and this is an important reason why the government has released prisoners like my son... I hope there will be more."

Release of dissidents a 'step in right direction'

Last week Vietnamese authorities freed Cu Huy Ha Vu, one of the country's most prominent dissidents who had been jailed for seven years for "anti-state activity" after trying to sue the prime minister.

The US embassy said he had left for America, without giving further details.

"We are delighted that these men are out of prison but they should never have been locked-up in the first place," Rupert Abbott, Amnesty International's deputy Asia-Pacific director, said in a statement.

"The releases are a step in the right direction for freedom of expression and we hope that they reflect a shift in Vietnam's commitment to respecting human rights."

The one-party state is regularly denounced by rights groups and Western governments for its intolerance of political dissent and systematic violations of freedom of religion.

Arrests and jail terms for Vietnamese dissidents have increased in recent years and early releases have been rare.

According to Amnesty, 70 Vietnamese are in detention for peacefully expressing opinions.

Vietnam and the United States are negotiating a Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, but that needs the blessing of a Congress that has taken issue with human rights abuses.

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